The document, drawn up following a public consultation, says: “By 2030, Reading will be recognised as a centre for creativity with a reputation for cultural and heritage excellence at a regional, national and international level with increased engagement across the town.”

Priorities

The three major strategic priorities underpinning the plan are:

to enhance the town’s identity

to increase opportunities through working together

to celebrate Reading through events.

The council hopes to

deliver a successful Year of Culture 2016 to showcase, enhance, promote and increase engagement in the arts

“We also have a great deal to look forward to in the future with the Year of Culture for Reading fast approaching and, subject to the Heritage Lottery Fund’s support, the start of our work to deliver the hugely significant ‘Abbey Revealed’ project to restore the Abbey Ruins.

Reading Abbey Ruins

“Reading has already been rated recently as being in the top 16 per cent of the country for heritage.

“By everyone involved working together, we can build on our existing success and deliver the ambitious scope of the strategy to develop Reading as a vibrant and enjoyable place to live, work or visit.”

University

University of Reading vice-chancellor Sir David Bell said: “Building on outstanding research across the creative and heritage fields, the university is committed to partnership working with organisations such as the Cultural Partnership.

“Working together, the university, the Cultural Partnership and other interested organisations and individuals, can grow Reading’s reputation for culture and heritage.

"In turn, this will help us to realise fully the significant benefits of being a university town at the heart of the Thames Valley.”

Suzanne Stallard, heritage representative for the cultural partnership, said: “Having a Culture and Heritage Strategy is important for the town to recognise what already exists here and how we can work together in the future.

“Reading has a plentiful supply of emerging and long-standing grass roots arts organisations making work both locally and nationally and the development of this document shows how significant recognition of this work is.

“Having a robust Cultural and Heritage Strategy will help us all to acknowledge our strong culture and heritage offer.”